Make dramatic changes with paint and save dollars...

I love make over tricks, especially the ones that don't cost much.  Paint is cheap and if you hate it  once you're done, just paint over it!

 You can make a huge difference in a room by painting one wall, all the walls or by painting key pieces of furniture.

HGTV just sent me this link with some great color ideas so I thought I'd share them with you today.
Have fun and let me know which look inspires you.  Pat

20 Designer Tricks of the Trade for Using Paint Colors

We know you love color and the eight paint color collections from HGTV® HOME by Sherwin-Williams offer simple ways to design your space like a pro. Courtesy of Sherwin-Williams

By Kristen Wingard

Set the Tone With Color

What do you want your home to say about you? The entry sets the decorating tone for your entire home so welcome guests by wrapping them in the beauty of color. Studies show chartreuse is equally alluring to both sexes so even utilitarian pieces like a bench are opportunities to put your own sense of style in full view.

Urban Organic - Walls: Armagnac; Trim: Crisp Linen; Bench: Parakeet with a Burnished Brandy wash

Spread (Any) Color Around

Neutral background choices mean greater decorating flexibility. Here, cool maritime blues are sprinkled throughout the space for a coastal-inspired vibe. From furniture to window treatments to tiny bands around basket lids, this accent use — whether soothing or vibrant — speaks everyone's language.

Coastal Cool - Walls: Accessible Beige; Bookshelf: Curio Gray; Trim: Eider White

Trick the Eye With Molding

Did you notice there are only two pictures in this view of a very large living room? Painting the picture frame molding white rather than the soft gray wall color creates drama, keeping your eye moving — and interested.

Livable Luxe - Walls: Gateway Gray; Trim: Snowbound

Focus on Furniture

Tip: Create a standout focal point by putting the color emphasis on furniture rather than the walls. Soulful gray is a softer stand-in for black or white and while a great accent, it also works wonders as a dominant choice, creating an elegant, clean slate for this design strategy.

Color Pizazz - Desk wall: Peppercorn; Foreground wall: Tony Taupe; Desk: Frolic

Don't Be Afraid of Heights

Designers call the ceiling the \"fifth wall\" and know the impact of going beyond white. Don't be afraid to use dark colors on ceilings as they can actually make a space seem more expansive. This bedroom doesn't take the typical color approach, making the fuchsia ceiling the first thing you see. Purple is known to stimulate intuition, to soothe and to pamper, so it's a natural fit for bedrooms, bathrooms or meditation spaces.

Global Spice - Walls: Natural Choice; Ceiling: Framboise

Less Really Is More

Mies Van Der Rohe was right. In this case, white painted brick sets a quiet, textural background for a splash of color. A new look is as easy as swapping out the area rug or green chair for another color or a pattern. Sometimes keeping it simple is the only way to go.

Color Pizazz - Brick wall: Pure White; Right wall: Tango

Highlight With Color

Call attention to an interesting room feature, even if you use neutral colors. Without the striking grid pattern, this painted ceiling would still envelop this space with warmth and interest by highlighting the gorgeous wide crown molding.

Traditional Twist - Living room: Burlap; Dining room: Stone Lion; Trim: Incredible White

Follow Mother Nature's Lead

Dynamic colors that capture the energy of the city pair beautifully with down-to-earth neutrals. This contrast of color influences creates a hip, eclectic yet natural vibe, which gives you the opportunity to really have fun with your decor.

Urban Organic - Cabinets: Urbane Bronze; Walls: Hearts of Palm; Pantry: Bee's Wax; Trim: Crisp Linen

Create Continuity With Color

This unexpected and bold black foyer color extends up the staircase, providing continuity from the first floor to the second. The dramatic crown molding and classic furniture/accessories complement the sophisticated backdrop for a unified \"welcome to our home.\"

Traditional Twist - Walls: Tricorn Black; Trim: Incredible White

Split the Difference

Complement a room's wainscoting by taking the opportunity to use two coordinating colors on the walls. This classic combo of yellow and blue evokes the cheerful and relaxed feeling of the sea, whether you live near water or just dream about it.

Coastal Cool - Lower walls: Watery; Walls: Hearts of Palm; Trim: Eider White

Skew the Traditional View

Strong colors don't have to be below the chair rail. Flip the typical approach with a \"heavier\" color above for a quiet, understated atmosphere well suited to a collection of vintage pieces and rustic charm. For easy, harmonious arrangements, these subtle colors are hard to beat.

Neutral Nuance - Wainscot: Ethereal Mood; Walls: Riverway; Trim: Dover White

Cut In High and Bright

When choosing a paint color, there are no limits so experiment with hues from across the spectrum. At first glance, this energetic color may not be for you, but take a simple design lesson from it: Go for it! A small wall is perfect for experimenting and expressing yourself without a big investment of time or money.

Color Pizazz - Inset wall: Exuberant Pink; Wall: Mindful Gray

Try Taupe and Texture

Since it's a mix of beige and gray, taupe is a perfect neutral that comes to life surrounded by accessories with interesting textures and reflective surfaces. Bring out its brilliance by determining if your shade is warm (with yellow or red undertones) or cool (contains hints of blue or gray). Pair warm taupes with warm colors and vice versa for a successful design plan.

Neutral Nuance - Walls: Universal Khaki; Trim: Dover White

Cocoon With Color

Enveloping yourself with a refined wall color in a private space is a luxurious treat. Reflect a relaxed lifestyle yet still convey an air of sophistication using an upholstered headboard and plush bedding. Keep the look light by grounding it with a beige carpet or area rug.

Livable Luxe - Walls: Special Gray; Hallway: Wool Skein; Trim: Snowbound

Create Color Flow

Room-to-room harmony isn't hard to achieve when you choose a down-to-earth palette like this one inspired by sun-baked adobe, Italian stucco and sandstone. Select brighter tones for optimistic appeal or add romance by combining warm tones of umber, copper and earthen clay.

Rustic Refined - Family room: White Raisin; Dining room: Brandywine; Pantry: Independent Gold; Trim: Creamy

Small Color Doses = Big Impact

Afraid to commit an entire room to a certain color? Paint an accent wall, and then tie in the accessories and window treatments so that color is spread throughout a space. This designer trick proves experimenting with paint can be fun and easy.

Neutral Nuance - Walls: Accessible Beige; Accent wall: Escape Gray; Trim: Dover White

Choose Two for One

Even though our lives are less formal today, we still enjoy elegance. Combining two soft shades in one large room provides contrast and relaxed sophistication. Save bolder choices for when and where you want high contrasts for added drama.

Livable Luxe - Left wall: Wool Skein; Back wall and ceiling: Silvermist; Trim: Snowbound

Simplify Making Color Changes

It's always smart to stick with the designer tip of keeping large purchases/items neutral (like the sofa, stools, area rug, artwork and window treatments seen here). Add color where it's easier and much less expensive to change: the walls and smaller furniture pieces like the dining table and display case.

Coastal Cool - Foreground wall: Recycled Glass; Background walls: Restful; Trim: Eider White; Island in foreground: Fawn Brindle; Table: Rapture Blue

Black Works Anywhere

Nothing makes a statement quite like black. Framing the red/orange accent section with black draws your eye to the kitchen, making the feature wall pop with warm, electrifying vibrancy. It's perfect for those who know how to take a serious color less seriously.

Global Spice - Dining room: Garden Sage; Accent wall: Sealskin; Kitchen wall: Peppery

Color Inside the (Architectural) Lines

Create interest and highlight architectural features by using natural breaks in the wall planes to add more color. Using white on the wainscoting expands this bedroom and because orange is warm with high visibility, it's perfect for emphasizing the space's main focal point.

Traditional Twist - Walls: Gingery; Lower walls and trim: Incredible White; Furniture: Tricorn Black

Buying or selling a home this year?
I'd love to help you.
I'll guide you each step of the way.  Visit me on-line at www.TriangleNC.com   919-469-6530